“Oh yes,” said the Altrurian. “At one time, just before we emerged from the competitive conditions, there was much serious question whether capital should not own labor instead of labor owning capital. That was many hundred years ago.”
“I am proud to find myself such an advanced thinker,” said the banker. “And how came you to decide that labor should own capital?”
“We voted it,” answered the Altrurian.
“Well,” said the banker, “our fellows are still fighting it, and getting beaten.”
I found him later in the evening talking with Mrs. Makely. “My dear sir,” I said, “I liked your frankness with my Altrurian friend immensely; and it may be well to put the worst foot foremost; but what is the advantage of not leaving us a leg to stand upon?”
He was not in the least offended at my boldness, as I had feared he might be, but he said, with that jolly laugh of his: “Capital! Well, perhaps I have worked my candor a little too hard; I suppose there is such a thing. But don’t you see that it leaves me in the best possible position to carry the war into Altruria when we get him to open up about his native land?”
“Ah! If you can get him to do it.”
“Well, we were just talking about that. Mrs. Makely has a plan.”
“Yes,” said the lady, turning an empty chair near her own toward me. “Sit down and listen.”